The Colorado Division of Wildlife is soliciting original artwork entries for the 2011 Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest.

This year’s species of focus is the green-winged teal (Anas crecca). The deadline for artists to submit entries is 4 p.m., Friday, March 4.

“It is amazing every year to see what the artists come up with and to see the new artists that are starting out in this specialized category of art,” said judging committee member Tilman Bishop, a former state senator who sponsored the legislation that created the waterfowl stamp in Colorado.

The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program was implemented in 1990 and provides funding to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. Waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and older are required by state law to purchase a waterfowl stamp validation annually before hunting. In addition to hunters, many collectors aid in wetland conservation by purchasing collector stamps and prints that are created from the winning entry.

“We are all beneficiaries of the Waterfowl Stamp,” Bishop added. “Whether you are a hunter, a bird watcher or just a citizen that likes seeing birds around the house, every one of us gets the benefit of this terrific program.”

The green-winged teal is a colorful duck found in Colorado primarily during fall and spring migration, with lower numbers during the breeding season and winter. The vocal and often noisy duck is the smallest North American ‘dabbling duck’, which feed on the surface of waters instead of diving for food. It is one of the most frequently harvested ducks taken by Colorado waterfowl hunters, and is known as excellent table fare.

Artists must submit a 13-inch-high by 18-inch-wide, full color original artwork for the contest. There is a $50 fee for each entry. Complete requirements are explained in the application packet, which is available at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl/WaterfowlStampProgram/.Hunters can purchase the required $5.00 waterfowl stamp validation where hunting licenses are sold. The gum-backed stamp is available for an additional $2.50.

Collector gum-backed stamps and art prints of the 2011 waterfowl stamp will be available for purchase in late July. Collector stamps and prints are sold through the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation. The Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation also has past stamp winner prints available. Past stamp winners can be viewed online at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl/WaterfowlStampProgram/PastWaterfowlStamps.htm.

For more information on the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation, go to www.cwhf.info/.